Pakistani celebrities, writers, artists, and sports personalities were among the recipients of this year’s civil awards, honoured for their outstanding contributions to music, journalism, literature, acting, the arts, and sports. Ceremonies were held in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi.

At the main ceremony in Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the country’s highest civil honours in the presence of senior political leaders, including Yousaf Raza Gillani, Ayaz Sadiq, and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, along with federal ministers, parliamentarians, civil and military officials, and diplomats.

The president honoured actors Rashid Waheed Khawaja and Zahid Ahmed, while singer Hadiqa Kiani received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for her achievements in music. In sports, former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz for his services to the game.

In Peshawar, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi presented the Sitara-e-Imtiaz to former Pakistan women’s cricket captain Sana Mir. At a separate ceremony in Karachi, Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi conferred the Sitara-e-Imtiaz on actors Fazila Qazi and Savera Nadeem in recognition of their contributions to the entertainment industry.

The ceremonies celebrated the achievements of individuals from diverse fields, recognising their contributions to Pakistan’s cultural, literary, artistic, and sporting landscape.